Saturday 25th August
Millers Prepare for Cup Clash in Style: New Mills 4 - Daisy Hill 0

New Mills warmed up for this Saturday's FA Cup clash at Church Lane against Atherstone Town with some style as they eased past Daisy Hill by scoring four goals, and it could have been many more.

Tony Hancock’s men set out their intentions from the kick off and inside two minutes Carlos Meakin had weaved his way through the defence of the Westhoughton-based side and crashed a shot against the crossbar.

However, he was not to be denied a goal for long as just eight minutes later a well-worked short corner on the left resulted in Meakin heading the ball home. It was obviously something, which had been worked on on the training ground, and it must have brought a smile to coach Paul Kirkham's face.

Miller’s striker Garry Kharas who has been in fine form so far this season, but still not got off the mark in competitive matches then hit the woodwork with a spectacular lob.

With 24 minutes on the clock Kharas opened his account after a good build up on the right hand side he sent home a header with such ferocity it stunned the crowd behind the goal. It was a classic centre forward’s goal and was greeted with a loud ovation.

There were other good openings created and Adam Mather had perhaps the best in stoppage time in the first half when his close range shot was well saved by Scott Moore in Daisies' goal.

The second half was very much the same as the first and the third goal came via young Rhys Nevins on his full debut when he turned the ball home after Kharas had seen his shot well saved.

Carlos Meakin who finished top scorer last season with 22 goals finished off the scoring by stroking the ball home from six yards late on and the result gave the Millers a remarkable record of eight wins from the eight meetings between the two teams.

NEW MILLS: Williams, Lees, Gresty, Ryan, Dempsey, Hooper, Meakin, Shaw, Kharas, Nevins, Mather. Attendance 150. Scorers - Carlos Meakin 2, Gary Kharas, Rhys Nevin.

Scott Moore beats Garry Kharas to the cross

Rhys Nevins - scorer of Millers 3rd goal

Joe Shaw shoots

Danny Hooper clears

Mark Lees intercepts long pass

Adam Mather brushes off the challenge

Aidie Veitch thunders between his fellow players to challenge Joe Shaw

Ball outruns Mark Armstrong and Garry Kharas

Scott Moore beaten as Garry Kharas and Mark Armstrong watch the ball fly into the net

Monday 20th August
Millers Cup Success: New Mills 3 - Pegasus Juniors 1

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay

New Mills progressed into the next round of the FA Cup on Monday night when they defeated Pegasus Juniors, the Hereford based club in a pulsating cup-tie at Church Lane.

The Millers had earned the replay after a solid performance on Saturday when they held their opponents to a goalless draw, and so the scene was set for an exciting evening of cup tie football and the biggest gate of the season so far of 222 were not to be disappointed.

It was the home side that started the brighter and urged on by the big partisan support they created a couple of half chances. After just 6 minutes Adam Mather (seen left on his way to scoring) was adjudged to have been fouled around 30 yards out, but had the referee allowed an advantage the teenager hit an unstoppable drive which flew into the top corner of the net. However, the referee had already given a free kick, which came to nothing.

It was the Juniors who took the lead after a defensive lapse in the home defence. And so with barely 15 minutes on the clock it began to look as though it would be an uphill struggle. However, the Millers responded magnificently and before the half was over they had scored three times in a 15 minute spell of pure passionate football.

On the half hour mark the ball was crossed into the box and it appeared as though visiting keeper Bryn Watkins had been fouled, but the referee did not blow his whistle and Danny Jackson stabbed the ball home from close range. The Herefordshire players were clearly incensed, but the goal was allowed to stand.

Danny Jackson watches his shot beat Bryan Watkins for Millers 1st goal - SEQUENCE

Just 5 minutes later and another cross-deep into the penalty area was knocked home by Carlos Meakin with the goalkeeper appearing at sixes and sevens.

Then on the stroke of half time midfield dynamo Joe Shaw (seen right after match) sent in an unstoppable drive, which took a deflection of a defenders head and flew into the net to send the home fans into their half time refreshment break in a delirious mood. Not unsurprisingly, the visitors came out all guns blazing after the interval and they were soon awarded a penalty. The young 16 year old who took the kick sent the ball crashing onto the crossbar and over for a goal kick. It was the Millers who were creating the better opportunities after this even though Pegasus enjoyed plenty of good possession. Adam Mather sent a free kick crashing onto the crossbar and a lively young Rhys Nevins who showed a great deal of pace knocked the ball just wide. Garry Kharas was a constant threat all evening and his work rate was always a threat for the Millers.

Garry Kharas under pressure

There was still time for the Juniors to hit the New Mills bar late on, but there was no further scoring. At the final whistle the New Mills supporters gave Pegasus Juniors a sporting ovation and they loudly cheered off their own heroes.

This is a great result for Tony Hancock’s men as their opponents are in a league one step higher than their own. In the next round they are rewarded with a home tie against Atherstone Town from Warwickshire and the game will take place on Saturday 1st September.

This Saturday the Millers will entertain Daisy Hill and it is hoped that the supporters will once again come back in numbers as the gates this season are already up on last years mark.

The Reserves have no match and they were held last weekend by Chadderton to a 1-1 draw with Nevins netting their goal.

NEW MILLS; Williams, Bromley, Dempsey, Lees, Gresty, Jackson, Meakin, Shaw, Kharas, Ryan, Mather sub; Nevins. Attendance 222.

Skipper Mickey Ryan blocks Richard Harrisons shot

Monday 13th August
New Mills 1 - Norton Utd 1

Phil Ainscough scored for the second league game in succession with only 4 minutes on the clock, a venomous strike from the edge of the box was enough to give New Mills the advantage.

Former Blackburn Rovers starlet; Ryan Hevicon looked lively throughout and delivered a great cross into the box only to see Joe Shaw's header well saved by Norton's keeper and although the home side seemed to be on top, a solitary goal was all that separated the sides leading into half time.

The game really should have been put beyond doubt around the hour mark when Ainscough blazed the ball over following unselfish play from Garry Kharas (seen right) and when the visitors equalised on 65 minutes, the writing was on the wall.

A contentious penalty awarded to New Mills was well saved 10 minutes from time and Norton also hit the crossbar, so New Mills take 4 points from their opening games, Hevicon had an impressive debut but it's Joe Shaw who continues to be the talk of the terraces as the Millers gear up for their F.A. Cup tie at Pegasus Juniors.

Supporters are reminded that the coach to Hereford leaves Church Lane this coming Saturday at 9am PROMT, tickets are priced at a very reasonable £5 and are sold on a first come, first served basis. (Amber)

Joe Shaw - fast becoming a Church Lane favourite

Ryan Hevicon - impressive debut for New Mills

Perseid meteor shower?

Saturday 11th August
New Mills 2 - Leek CSOB 0

A blistering hot afternoon at Church Lane on Saturday for Miller's first home game of the season, New Mills were out of the blocks quick and were awarded a direct free kick ten minutes in, Joe Shaw showed some deadly accuracy to fire the ball across the face of goal and into the bottom corner. Shaw then delivered a great cross to Danny Carter who volleyed the ball from close range but the shot brought the best out of Leek's keeper and a slender 1-0 lead was held until after the break. The game was put beyond doubt nine minutes after the break when Phil Ainscough created some space for himself and blasted the ball home the ball from the edge of the six yard box.

Saturday 4th August
New Mills Reserves 2 - Stockport Georgians 4

It was always going to be a stern test against Manchester Prem side Stockport Georgians, but the new look second string of New Mills began the game brightly. The visitors began to find their feet 20 minutes in and when James Bowden was put through on goal, Millers keeper was helpless as the ball was slotted home with a confident finish. Georgians then doubled the advantage soon after, but a change of personnel at half time saw the introduction of Adam Blackburn, Mark Allen and Danny Thomas. It was Blackburn who shone throughout the remainder of the game with his usual strong performance, the Church Lane favourite assisting with both New Mills goals scored

New reserve team management Eddy Hasllam (asst. manager) Gareth McClelland (manager)

Georgians skipper Chris Thomas stretches out to block Millers shot

Adam Blackburn connects with the cross

Scramble for high ball

Adam Blackburn gets challenged

Friday 3rd August
New Mills 2 - Mellor 1

No Butterworth, Kharas, Meakin, Ryan, Lees or Mather or Bromley on show for New Mills, but a strong team was still put out, and it needed to be as Mellor competed throughout the 90 and fought a closely contended match.

The Lancashire and Cheshire League side thwarted the Millers until seconds before the break when Phil Ainscough scored with his head . After the break, the tempo increased from both sides but Ainscough side footed home with Danny Carter squaring the ball in unselfish manner.

Mellor ensured a tense finish when they reduced the arrears with 4 minutes left but it was a good work out for both sides, the game played in good spirit with Dan Jackson and Callum Dempsey in good form for New Mills.

Danny Carter surges away on the attack

Super save from Mellors keeper to deny Danny Carter

Who ate all the pies! - or make up your own title....